Understanding the Global Business Mobility (Senior or Specialist Worker) Visa

The Global Business Mobility (Senior or Specialist Worker) visa offers individuals the opportunity to work in the UK for a limited period at their employer's UK branch. Tailored for senior managers and specialist employees on work assignments in the UK, this visa replaces the Intra-company Transfer visa.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Global Business Mobility (Senior or Specialist Worker) visa, applicants must meet specific requirements:

Overseas Employment: Applicants must be current employees of an overseas company connected to the UK organisation holding a Global Business Mobility (Senior or Specialist Worker) sponsor licence.

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Assigned CoS must outline the job responsibilities, salary, start date, and other pertinent details for work in the UK.

Eligible Occupations: The job must be in an occupation eligible for sponsorship under the Global Business Mobility (Senior or Specialist Worker) route.

Salary Threshold: Applicants must earn at least £48,500 annually or the standard rate for their occupation, whichever is higher.

Additionally, applicants must have worked for the employer group outside the UK for a minimum of 12 months, unless they will earn £73,900 or more annually in the UK.

Duration of Stay

The visa permits individuals to stay in the UK for the lesser of:

The period specified on the CoS plus 14 days.

Five years.

Applicants can renew their visa, up to the maximum allowed length of stay.

Maximum Stay Duration

For those earning less than £73,900 annually: Maximum stay is five years within any six years.

For those earning £73,900 or more annually: Maximum stay is nine years within any ten years.

This visa does not lead to permanent residency in the UK, unlike the Skilled Worker visa.

While the Global Business Mobility (Senior or Specialist Worker) visa offers numerous benefits, it has not been immune to criticism. Critics point out that the visa's limitations, particularly the lack of a clear path to permanent residency, may deter top talent from choosing the UK over other countries with more straightforward settlement options. This raises concerns about the UK's competitiveness in attracting and retaining high-level professionals.

Additionally, the requirement for applicants to have prior experience working for the employer group outside the UK for at least 12 months has been criticised as restrictive, especially for rapidly expanding companies seeking to establish operations in the UK swiftly. There are also concerns about the salary threshold, which some believe could exclude talented individuals in sectors when average salaries fall below the minimum requirement.

Our expert UK Immigration advisers have a proven record of assisting organisations and migrant workers across various industries. We specialise in helping companies of all sizes obtain and maintain their Sponsorship Licence, as well as facilitating the recruitment of both Skilled and Global Business Mobility workers.

For personalised assistance and ensuring compliance with all immigration regulations, please contact our team. We are here to guide you through every step of the process and maximise your chances of success.

To find out more details about how we can help, contact us today at 01403 801801 or via email at [email protected]